TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf mentioned the potential increase in the 2026 Hajj costs as a result of the escalating Middle East conflict that led to a surge in avtur (jet fuel) prices. During a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission VIII on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, he discussed the government's plan to tackle the potential increase in hajj costs.
"This year's hajj is under pressure from increasingly complex global factors, thus requiring efficiency, coordination, and mitigation to maintain the sustainability of hajj funding," said the Gerindra Party politician.
Causes of Hajj Cost Increase
According to Irfan, the main factors behind the increase in hajj costs are the surge in avtur prices and the depreciation of the rupiah. In scenarios with or without changes in flight routes, hajj costs are predicted to increase. If the initial hajj flight route is taken, the Ministry of Hajj recorded that the average cost per pilgrim increased from Rp33.5 million to Rp46.9 million, a 39.85 percent increase.
If the flight route changes, the estimated hajj costs are even higher, from Rp33.5 million to Rp50.8 million per pilgrim, or a 51.48 percent increase. This is because airlines would need to take alternative routes that add approximately four hours of travel time and require an additional 12,000 tons of avtur consumption.
The estimates come from calculations by Garuda Indonesia, which proposed an additional cost of Rp7.9 million per pilgrim at a price of US$116 cents per liter of avtur, as stated in letter number Garuda/JAKARTA/DZ/20181-26. Meanwhile, Saudi Airlines proposed an additional cost of US$480 per pilgrim at a price of US$1.374 cents per liter of avtur.
Cost Increase Not to be Imposed on Pilgrims
Irfan stated that President Prabowo Subianto wants the burden of the cost increase not to be passed on to pilgrims. "President Prabowo hopes that whatever happens, if there is an increase in the hajj cost, he requests that it not be imposed on hajj pilgrims," he said.
He continued by mentioning that the government is still calculating the actual need for the 2026 hajj operation costs after the global price increases. However, Irfan assured that the Prabowo administration is committed to finding a solution so that prospective pilgrims do not have to pay additional hajj costs.
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak mentioned that the additional costs for hajj operations will be taken from the state budget amounting to Rp1.77 trillion. "Pilgrims do not need to pay for the increase, as decided by President Prabowo to be paid directly by the state budget," Dahnil said, quoted from X @Dahnilanzar's account.
Prabowo Claims Hajj Costs Decreased Despite Avtur Increase
President Prabowo Subianto claimed that the departure costs for the 2026 hajj, borne by prospective pilgrims, decreased even though the avtur prices increased. The Head of State made the statement while briefing his cabinet at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
"We ensure that the 2026 hajj costs have been reduced by around Rp2 million, despite the increase in avtur prices," said the Chair of the Gerindra Party, as quoted by Antara.
He stated that the government does not want to burden Indonesian hajj pilgrims amidst the surge in global crude oil prices. Prabowo's statement referred to the determination of the 2026 Hajj Operational Costs or BPIH amounting to Rp87.4 million per pilgrim.
The hajj costs decreased by Rp2 million compared to the BPIH of 2025 amounting to Rp89.4 million. The determination of BPIH was agreed upon by the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) during a working meeting at the DPR Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Read: Prabowo: Indonesia to Keep 2026 Hajj Cost Rp2 Million Lower
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